Complete List of Graduate Course and Requirements Conducting research at the the Sierra National Forest |
| Applicants to the Earth System Science Ph.D. program should have a broad quantitative scientific background, with an undergraduate degree in physical or natural science or related fields such as applied mathematics and engineering. Undergraduate preparation should involve mathematics including differential equations, a year-long sequence of physics and of chemistry, and courses in general biology, ecology, or geology. Entering graduate students plan their courses and research with the help of the Graduate Advisor. Students are admitted to the Ph.D. program only; the master's degree is awarded upon progress to the Ph.D. To complete the course requirements for the Ph.D. program, a minimum of 10 approved graduate-level courses, including the core curriculum, must be completed with an average grade of B or better. All courses must be approved by the student's advisor. The core curriculum consists of Earth System Science 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 218, and 298. These courses are described below. Students are also expected to participate in the Earth System Science seminar. Additionally, Ph.D. students are required to complete a teaching assistant training program and to have a minimum of two quarters of experience as a teaching assistant, provided opportunities are available. Academic Senate regulations specify a minimum period of residence of six quarters for Ph.D. candidates. Enrollment in a minimum of 12 units of graduate/upper-division course work per quarter is required. Registration in every regular academic session is necessary until all requirements for the degree have been completed, unless a formal Leave of Absence is granted by the Office of Graduate Studies. All Ph.D. requirements must be completed within 15 quarters in residence (five years), excluding summer quarters. Exceptions must be put to a vote of the Earth System Science faculty. The maximum time permitted is seven years. A departmental written Comprehensive Examination for all eligible ESS students is administered at the end of spring quarter. This examination determines the student's readiness to begin research for the dissertation. An oral Comprehensive Examination is offered after the written examination and provides an opportunity to clarify questions that arise from the student's performance on the written examination. Both the written and oral examinations are administered by the ESS Comprehensive Examination Committee. The examinations emphasize breadth, general knowledge, and the ability to integrate and use information covered in the core curriculum and other course work. Following completion of the Comprehensive Examination, those students who receive a recommendation to continue Ph.D. work will pursue research on a potential dissertation topic and then take the Advancement to Candidacy Examination. This oral examination is given by a faculty committee, including extra-departmental faculty. The normative time for advancement for candidacy is two years. A dissertation based on original research and demonstrating critical judgment, intellectual synthesis, creativity, and clarity in written communication is required for the Ph.D. degree. The dissertation must summarize the results of original research performed by the student under the supervision of a faculty member of the Department. The criterion of acceptability of a dissertation is that its contents be judged by the committee as suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal of high editorial standards. The dissertation may be a compilation of published papers or manuscripts accepted for publication, so long as a major proportion of the material has been produced independently by the candidate. The format and content are approved by the Dissertation Committee, and University requirements for style, format, and appearance are met. The master's degree is awarded only to students admitted to the Ph.D. program who have completed a total of 10 courses, met the three-quarter residency requirement, and completed the Comprehensive Examination. A summary of the requirements follows. |
| DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE 1. Completion of course work (10 courses, including core courses) 2. Six quarters in residence at UCI 3. Completion of the teaching and seminar requirements 4. Completion of the Comprehensive Examination, with recommendation to continue for the Ph.D. 5. Pass the Advancement to Candidacy Examination 6. Presentation of an open research seminar 7. Submission of an acceptable doctoral dissertation and formal defense MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE 1. Completion of course work (10 courses, including core courses) 2. Three quarters in residence at UCI Completion of the Comprehensive Examination |
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GRADUATE COURSES 200B Earth System Physics (2) F. Physical processes which mediate the transformation of energy and momentum in the climate system. Topics include hydrostatics, radiation, and climate forcing and feedbacks. Prerequisites: Mathematics 2D; Physics 3C or 7E or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Formerly Earth System Science 200. 202A Global Biogeochemistry I (2) F. Biogeochemical processes which mediate the transformation of carbon, nitrogen, and other biogeochemically important elements on land. Topics include chemistry of soils, nutrient limitation, cycling of dissolved and particulate organic matter, and isotopes. Formerly Earth System Science 202. 202B Biogeochemistry II (2) S. Biogeochemical processes which mediate the transformation of carbon, nitrogen, and other biogeochemically important elements in the ocean. Topics include chemistry of seawater, nutrient limitation, cycling of dissolved and particulate organic matter, and isotopes. 204A Global Hydrology (2) W. Global hydrologic cycle and its interactions within the Earth's climate system. Precipitation, clouds and radiation, water vapor, sea surface fluxes, terrestrial hydrology. Formerly Earth System Science 204. 204B Cryosphere (2) W. A global perspective of the major components of the cryosphere. Includes current extent and trends, mass balance, energetics, and physical processes. Quantitative assessment of current state, in situ and remote observations, and interactions with climate. 206A Ocean Dynamics (4) W. Introduction to ocean fluid dynamics. Equations of motion for a rotating stratified fluid. Scaling analysis, potential vorticity dynamics, linear waves, energetics, and instability theory with applications to the mean circulation and variability. Formerly Earth System Science 206. 206B Atmospheric Dynamics (2) W. Introduction to atmospheric dynamics. Equations of motion for a rotating stratified fluid. Scaling analysis, potential vorticity dynamics, linear waves, energetics, and instability theory with applications to the mean circulation and variability. 208A Atmospheric Chemistry (2) W. Chemistry of the atmosphere. Topics include: tropospheric photochemistry; the tropospheric ozone budget; stratospheric chemistry and the ozone hole. Formerly Earth System Science 208. Earth System Science 208A and 242 may not both be taken for credit. 208B Global Biogeochemical Cycles (2) W. Global biogeochemical cycling of the elements. Topics include: global cycling of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur; impact of human activities on biogeochemical processes. Formerly Earth System Science 208. Earth System Science 208B and 242 may not both be taken for credit. 210A Geoscience Data Analysis (2) F. Teaches basic numerical calculations and statistical techniques needed to solve or analyze Earth system data, computational approaches, and accuracy, plus hands-on experience with computers. Formerly Earth System Science 210. 210B Geoscience Modeling (2) W. Teaches basic numerical calculations and statistical techniques to solve or analyze Earth system models, computational approaches, and accuracy, plus hands-on experience with computers. Focuses on probabilistic time-series models and deterministic models based on linear and non-linear ordinary differential equations. 212A Paleoclimate (2) S. Explores past changes in the Earth system: atmospheric composition, ocean circulation, climate and weather, and the biosphere. Paleo-record lessons from past climate change. Formerly Earth System Science 212. 212B Earth System Change (2) S. Explores present and projected changes in the Earth system: atmospheric composition, ocean circulation, climate and weather, and the biosphere. Currently observed global warming, related changes, projections of our future. 218A Terrestrial Ecology (2) F. A mechanistic perspective of the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Includes the processes that control plant growth and community structure, nutrient cycling, and role of ecosystem dynamics in local and global biogeochemical cycling. Formerly Earth System Science 218. 218B Ocean Ecology (2) S. A mechanistic perspective of the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. Includes the processes that control plant growth and community structure, nutrient cycling, and role of ecosystem dynamics in local global biogeochemical cycling. 222 Atmospheric Dynamics (4) W. Fluid dynamical processes that determine the large-scale flow of the atmosphere and ocean. Most important are interactions between the density stratification and the Coriolis force associated with Earth's rotation. Topics include circulation, vorticity, planetary waves and their role in climate. 230 Physical Oceanography (4) S. Physical processes that determine the distribution of water properties such as salt and temperature. Fluid-dynamical underpinnings of physical oceanography. Wave motions. The wind-driven and thermohaline circulation. Similarities and differences between ocean and atmosphere dynamics. Prerequisites: Mathematics 2D and Physics 7A-B-E, or consent of instructor. 232 Terrestrial Hydrology (4) S. Comprehensive treatment of modern conceptual and methodological approaches to hydrological science. Combines qualitative understanding of hydrological processes with quantitative representation, approaches to measurement, and treatment of uncertainty. Major components of the hydrological cycle and their linkages within the coupled Earth system. Prerequisites: Mathematics 2D or equivalent and Physics 7A-B-E. Concurrent with Earth System Science 132. 236 Radiative Processes and Remote Sensing (4) F. Solar and terrestrial radiation and Earth system interaction. Radiative transfer theory. Principles, applications of remote sensing of environment. Planck's law, radiative transfer equation, radiative properties of trace gasses and aerosols, remote sensing techniques, global trends in radiative forcing. Prerequisites: Mathematics 2D and Physics 7A-B-D, or equivalent. 238 Analysis of Hydrologic Systems (3) F. Application of systems theory in hydrologic, land surface, and biogeochemical modeling. Design, identification, and calibration of conceptual models. Principles of dynamic systems and modeling approaches, theory of linear systems and mathematical concepts of differential calculus, theoretical concepts of parameter estimation and optimization theory. Same as Civil and Environmental Engineering CEE289. 242 Atmospheric Chemistry (4) S. Chemistry of the troposphere and stratosphere. Topics include: processes controlling the lifetime and reaction pathways of chemicals in the atmosphere, the role of the atmosphere in biogeochemical cycles, and interactions between atmospheric chemistry and the physical climate system. Prerequisites: Chemistry 1A-B-C. Formerly Earth System Science 202. Earth System Science 242 and 208A and/or 208B may not both be taken for credit. 246 Isotope Geochemistry (4) S. Principles of isotope geochemistry with an emphasis on applications in biogeochemistry. Covers basic theory and experimental investigations of natural variations in stable and radioactive isotopes and isotope fractionation by kinetic processes, isotope exchange reactions, and diffusional processes. 260 Global Biological Change (4) F. Lecture, two hours; field work, one hour. An investigation of the mechanisms that underlie responses of organisms to human-caused environmental changes. Activities include field trips, literature discussions, and lectures. Focuses on issues of interest in Southern California, including nitrogen deposition, invasions, and habitat fragmentation. Same as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 225. 264 Terrestrial Ecosystems (4) F, W, S. A mechanistic perspective of the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Includes the mechanisms that control plant growth, hydrology and nutrient cycling, and the roles terrestrial ecosystems play in local and global biogeochemistry. Concurrent with Earth System Science 164. 270 Environmental Microbiology (4) F. Establishes a fundamental understanding of microbes living in the environment, including their distribution, diversity, and biochemistry, and discusses how they attribute to global biogeochemical cycles. Concurrent with Earth System Science 170. 280 Special Topics in Earth System Science (4). Each quarter is devoted to current topics in the field of Earth System Science. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisite: Earth System Science 200 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. 282A-B-C Topics in Climate (4-4-4). Each quarter is devoted to in-depth analysis of an important and rapidly developing area in the field of climate dynamics. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Formerly Earth System Science 233A-B-C. 284A-B-C Special Topics in Atmospheric Chemistry (4-4-4) F, W, S. Each quarter is devoted to current topics in the field of Atmospheric Chemistry. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. 286A-B-C Topics in Biogeochemistry (4-4-4). Each quarter is devoted to in-depth analysis of a subarea in biogeochemistry which is undergoing rapid development. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. 288 Special Topics in Ecosystems (4) F, W, S. Each quarter is devoted to current topics relating to Ecosystems. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Prerequisites: Earth System Science 200 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. 290 Seminar (1) F, W, S. Weekly seminars and discussions on topics of general and current interest in Earth System Science. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Prerequisite: graduate standing. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. 291 Research Seminar (1 to 4) F, W, S. Detailed discussions of ongoing research in Earth System Science. Format, content, and frequency of the course are variable. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. 298A-B-C Practicum in Earth System Science (2-2-2) F, W, S. For first-year graduate students. Students explore research opportunities and develop a proposal for a summer research project under the direction of a faculty member. Formerly Earth System Science 298. 299 Research (2 to 12) F, W, S. Supervised original research in areas of Earth System Science. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit. Formerly Earth System Science 280. 399 University Teaching (1 to 4) F, W, S. Required of and limited to teaching assistants. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated for credit.
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